Protective cases for mobile electronic communication devices

ABSTRACT

A protective case for a mobile electronic communication device having a user input interface includes a front cover configured to couple with a rear cover to define a volume for receiving the mobile electronic communication device, the front cover having an aperture aligned with the user input interface when the mobile electronic communication device is received in the volume; a transparent membrane provided between the front cover and the rear cover to be disposed over the user input interface when the mobile electronic communication device is received in the volume; and a compressible member arranged between the front cover and the membrane and separate from the front cover, the transparent membrane configured to provide a seal between the transparent membrane and the front cover when the mobile electronic communication device is received in the volume and the front cover is coupled to the rear cover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/830,180filed on Mar. 14, 2013, entitled “Protective Cases for Mobile ElectronicCommunication Devices,” attorney docket number 094788-0894, the contentof which is fully incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosure relates generally cases and, in particular embodiments,to protective cases for mobile electronic communication devices.

2. Background

Mobile electronic communication devices, such as smart phones, tablets,or the like, typically contain sensitive and/or delicate electronics orother components. These devices can be subject to physical abuse andrisks of damages from handling of the devices, especially given theportable nature of the devices (e.g., dropping of the devices, orotherwise subjecting the devices to physical shocks or other damage,etc.). Mobile electronic communication devices typically includehousings that can withstand a certain level of physical shock. However,in an effort to improve aesthetics, the housings are typically designedto have finishes that look appealing, but often at the compromise ofstructural integrity. A nicely finished housing can be more prone todamage, including slight blemishes that may be more noticeable on suchfinishes. For example, the housings for some smart phones are finishedwith a highly polished metal back panel. Dents and/or scratches on thefinished panel can be highly noticeable. Accordingly, a protective casethat encloses some or the entire mobile electronic communication devicecan provide an additional level of protection to the sensitiveelectronics and the housing of the mobile electronic communicationdevice.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a protective case for amobile electronic communication device having a user input interface. Aprotective case according to various embodiments includes a rear cover,a front cover, a transparent membrane, and a compressible member. Thefront cover is configured to couple with the rear cover. The front coverand the rear cover define a volume for receiving the mobile electroniccommunication device when the front cover is coupled to the rear cover.The front cover has an aperture aligned with the user input interface ofthe mobile electronic communication device when the mobile electroniccommunication device is received in the volume. The transparent membraneis provided between the front cover and the rear cover to be disposedover the user input interface of the mobile electronic communicationdevice when the mobile electronic communication device is received inthe volume and the front cover is coupled to the rear cover. Thecompressible member is arranged between the front cover and the membraneand separate from the front cover. The transparent membrane isconfigured to provide a seal between the transparent membrane and thefront cover when the mobile electronic communication device is receivedin the volume and the front cover is coupled to the rear cover.

In various embodiments, the compressible member is attached to thetransparent membrane.

In various embodiments, the transparent membrane is not attached to thefront cover.

In various embodiments, the transparent membrane and the compressiblemember are removable from the front cover and the rear cover.

In various embodiments, the compressible member is arranged to sealagainst a first rear surface of the top cover around the aperture of thetop cover when the mobile electronic communication device is received inthe volume and the front cover is coupled to the rear cover.

In some embodiments, the rear cover has a peripheral wall having a topsurface facing the front cover when the front cover is coupled to therear cover. The rear cover includes a rib extending upward from the topsurface of the peripheral wall and around at least a portion of thevolume. The rib is arranged to seal against a second rear surface of thetop cover when the mobile electronic communication device is received inthe volume and the front cover is coupled to the rear cover.

In further embodiments, the second rear surface is arranged further fromthe top surface of the front cover than the first rear surface.

In further embodiments, the first rear surface is arranged closer to acenter point of the protective case than the second rear surface.

In various embodiments, the rear cover has a peripheral wall having atop surface facing the front cover when the front cover is coupled tothe rear cover. The rear cover includes a rib extending upward from thetop surface of the peripheral wall and around at least a portion of thevolume. The rib is arranged to seal against a rear surface of the topcover when the mobile electronic communication device is received in thevolume and the front cover is coupled to the rear cover.

In various embodiments, the protective case is configured to provide afirst seal between the compressive member and a first surface of thefront cover and a second seal between a rib portion of a peripheral wallof the rear cover and a second surface of the front cover. In someembodiments, the second seal is arranged further from the top surface ofthe front cover than the first seal. In some embodiments, the first sealis arranged closer to a center point of the protective case than thesecond seal.

In various embodiments, the protective case further includes at leastone coupling member for coupling the front cover to the rear cover.

In some embodiments, the at least one coupling member is configured toforce the front cover against the compressible member to enhance theseal between the transparent membrane and the front cover when themobile electronic communication device is received in the volume and thefront cover is coupled to the rear cover.

In various embodiments, the compressible member is adhered to thetransparent membrane with an adhesive.

In various embodiments, the compressible member comprises a foammaterial.

In various embodiments, the compressible member comprises a urethanematerial.

In various embodiments, the compressible member defines an aperturealigned with the aperture of the front cover and the user inputinterface of the mobile electronic communication device when the mobileelectronic communication device is received in the volume and the frontcover is coupled to the rear cover.

In various embodiments, at least a portion of the transparent membraneis configured to be received on at least a portion of the rear cover.

In various embodiments, the transparent membrane comprises a bodyportion and at least one tab portion extending from the body portion.The at least one tab portion is configured to extend over at least aportion of a peripheral wall of the rear cover.

In some embodiments, the at least one tab portion is received into arecess provided in the peripheral wall of the rear cover.

In various embodiments, the transparent membrane comprises a bodyportion and at least one tab portion extending from the body portion.The at least one tab portion is configured to extend beyond a peripheryof the mobile electronic communication device when the mobile electroniccommunication device is received in the volume and the front cover iscoupled to the rear cover.

In various embodiments, the transparent membrane comprises a body and atleast one tab portion extending from the body portion, the transparentmembrane including an opening through each of the least one tab portion.The rear cover includes at least one opening, each opening at a positionto align with a corresponding one of the at least one opening of thetransparent membrane when the mobile electronic communication device isreceived in the volume and the front cover is coupled to the rear cover.The front cover includes at least one protrusion at one or morepositions to extend through a corresponding one of the at least oneopening of the transparent membrane and into a corresponding one of theat least one opening of the rear cover when the mobile electroniccommunication device is received in the volume and the front cover iscoupled to the rear cover.

In some embodiments, the at least one opening of the rear cover isprovided in a peripheral wall of the rear cover.

In various embodiments, the transparent membrane includes at least oneopening through the transparent membrane. The rear cover includes atleast one opening, each at a position to align with a corresponding onethe at least one opening of the transparent membrane when the mobileelectronic communication device is received in the volume and the frontcover is coupled to the rear cover. The front cover includes at leastone protrusion at one or more positions to extend through acorresponding one of the at least one opening of the transparentmembrane and into a corresponding one of the at least one opening of therear cover when the mobile electronic communication device is receivedin the volume and the front cover is coupled to the rear cover.

In various embodiments, the mobile electronic communication device is aseparate unit from the protective case.

In various embodiments, the user input interface of the mobileelectronic communication device is a touchscreen display.

Further embodiments relate to methods of manufacturing a protective casefor a mobile electronic communication device having a user inputinterface. According to various embodiments, a method includes:providing a rear cover; configuring a front cover configured to couplewith the rear cover, the front cover and the rear cover defining avolume for receiving the mobile electronic communication device when thefront cover is coupled to the rear cover, the front cover having anaperture aligned with the user input interface of the mobile electroniccommunication device when the mobile electronic communication device isreceived in the volume; providing a transparent membrane providedbetween the front cover and the rear cover to be disposed over the userinput interface of the mobile electronic communication device when themobile electronic communication device is received in the volume and thefront cover is coupled to the rear cover; and arranging a compressiblemember arranged between the front cover and the membrane and separatefrom the front cover, the transparent membrane configured to provide aseal between the transparent membrane and the front cover when themobile electronic communication device is received in the volume and thefront cover is coupled to the rear cover.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an enclosure for mobileelectronic communication device having a switch movable between a firstposition and a second position ace. A protective case according tovarious embodiments includes a protective case and a rotatable member.The protective case defines a volume for receiving the mobile device.The front cover has an aperture aligned with the user input interface ofthe mobile electronic communication device when the mobile electroniccommunication device is received in the volume. The rotatable member isarranged in a recess through a peripheral wall of the protective shell.The rotatable member configured to operatively engage the switch of themobile device to move the switch between the first position and thesecond position when the mobile device is received in the cavity of theprotective shell.

In various embodiments, the rotatable member is configured to rotate ina first direction to move the switch from the first position to thesecond position. The rotatable member is configured to rotate in asecond direction to move the switch from the second position to thefirst position.

In various embodiments, the rotatable member has a first engagementsurface and a second engagement surface. The first engagement surface isconfigured to engage the switch during rotation of the rotatable memberin the first direction to cause the switch to move to the secondposition. The second engagement surface is configured to engage theswitch during rotation of the rotatable member in the second directionto cause the switch to move to the first position.

In various embodiments, the rotatable member includes a first portionand a second portion operatively engaged with the first portion and theswitch of the mobile device. At least a portion of the first portion isarranged external to the protective case for rotation of the firstportion of the rotatable member. The rotatable member is configured suchthat rotation of the first portion causes rotation of the second portionto move the switch between the first position and the second position.

In some embodiments, one of the first portion and the second portion hasa recess for receiving a tab of the other of the first portion and thesecond portion to operatively engage the first portion and the secondportion.

In various embodiments, the rotatable member has an indicator forindicating whether the switch is at the first position or the secondposition.

In various embodiments, the protective case has a marker designating aposition of the rotatable member that corresponds to the switch being insecond position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a protective case according to variousembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a side view of a protective case according to variousembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a protective case according to variousembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a view of a front cover of a protective case according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a view of a rear cover of a protective case according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a cross-section view of a protective case according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a portion of the protective case of FIG. 4A according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 5A-5C are perspective views of portions of a protective caseaccording to various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 6A-6D are perspective views of a rotatable member for a protectivecase according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 7A-7C are perspective views of a portion of an interior of aprotective case according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 8A-8C are perspective views of a portion of an exterior of aprotective case according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 9A-9B are perspective views of a rotatable member according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a protective case 100 for a mobile electroniccommunication device 10. The protective case 100 includes a front cover110 and a rear cover 120 that, when coupled, form a volume in theprotective case 100. The volume of the protective case 100 is configuredto hold the mobile electronic communication device 10, such as (but notlimited to) a smart phone (e.g., iPhone) (or other cell phone), a tablet(e.g., iPad), a personal data assistant (PDA), a laptop, an MP3 player,a music player, a video player, a media player, a navigational device, atelematics devices, or other portable electronic device. The mobileelectronic communication device 10 includes a display device (e.g., LCDscreen, etc.), a user input interface (e.g., keyboard, touchscreeninterface, etc.) for providing an input or otherwise interacting withthe mobile electronic communication device 10, and/or the like. Inparticular embodiments, the mobile electronic communication device 10includes a touchscreen for the display device and the user inputinterface.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5C, the front cover 110 and/or the rear cover120 may be made of any suitable material. In particular, the front cover110 and/or the rear cover 120 may be made from materials that arecapable of providing one or more of shock and liquid resistance to anencased mobile electronic communication device when the front cover 110and the rear cover 120 are coupled. In some embodiments, the front cover110 and the rear cover 120 are composed of a plurality of differentcomponents and therefore may be fabricated from a plurality of differentmaterials. Suitable materials from which the front cover 110 and/or therear cover 120 may be made of include rigid, semi-rigid, flexible, orany other type of material adapted to provide a corresponding desiredamount of protection to the mobile electronic communication device 10(e.g., shock and/or liquid resistance) including, but not limited to,plastic, metal, polycarbonate, nylon, liquid crystal polymer, rubber,thermal plastic urethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, a combinationthereof, a mixture thereof, and/or the like.

In various embodiments, the protective case 100 completely encloses themobile electronic communication device 10. For instance, the front cover110 and the rear cover 130, when coupled together, may completelyenclose the mobile electronic communication device 10. In otherembodiments, the protective case 100 only covers a portion of the mobileelectronic communication device 10. As such, a remaining portion of themobile electronic communication device 10 may remain exposed.

The rear cover 120 includes an outer body 121. The outer body 121includes a peripheral wall 121 a. In particular embodiments, the rearcover 120 also includes a liner 130 having a peripheral wall (orsidewall) 130 a. The liner 130 is provided in a cavity 122 defined theperipheral wall 121. In such embodiments, the peripheral wall 121 a ofthe outer body 121 and the peripheral wall 130 a of the liner 130 form aperipheral wall 120 a of the rear cover 120. The liner 130 may be anelastomeric liner or other suitable material, such as (but not limitedto) plastic, metal, polycarbonate, nylon, liquid crystal polymer,rubber, thermal plastic urethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, acombination thereof, a mixture thereof, and/or the like. In particularembodiments, the rear cover 120 and the liner 130 may be formed together(e.g., using an overmold process). In other embodiments, the rear cover120 and the liner 130 is made separately and joined together. Inparticular embodiments, the liner 130 is removable from the rear cover120.

The mobile electronic communication device 10 may be mounted orotherwise arranged in the protective case 100 in any suitable manner. Insome embodiments, the mobile electronic communication device 10 may bereceived in the rear cover 120. For instance, the peripheral wall 120 adefines a cavity 135 for receiving (at least a portion of) the mobileelectronic communication device 10. In other embodiments, the mobileelectronic communication device 10 is mounted to the protective case 100by attaching the mobile electronic communication device 10 to theprotective case 100, for example, with a fastener, adhesive, and/or thelike.

In some embodiments, the front cover 110 and the rear cover 120 areconfigured to couple or mate in any suitable manner to enclose themobile electronic communication device 10 in the protective case 100. Inparticular embodiments, at least a portion of the front cover 110 isreceived into a portion (e.g., cavity 122) of the rear cover 120. Forexample, the front cover 110 may include a wing or tab 116 received intoan alcove 136 in the sidewall 130 a of the liner 130. In furtherembodiments, the tab 116 may include a rib portion 116 b that isreceived into a corresponding groove 136 b when the tab 116 is receivedinto the alcove 136. In further embodiments, the alcove 136 may includea ridge 136 a provided on a side periphery of the alcove 136 that isreceived into a corresponding groove 116 on a side periphery of the tab116. It should be noted that such coupling configurations for the frontcover 110 and the rear cover 120 are exemplary and other embodiments mayimplement other suitable coupling configurations. For example, the ridge136 a could instead be provided on the side periphery of the tab 116 andthe groove 136 b could be provided in the side periphery of the alcove136 to receive the ridge. Likewise, the front cover 110 can include thealcove 136 and the liner 130 can have the tab 116.

The front cover 110 has a first aperture 112 that allows access to thefront surface, such as the user input interface (e.g., touchscreeninterface) of the mobile electronic communication device 10, one or moreof the operators, and/or the like of the mobile electronic communicationdevice 10 through a membrane 140 provided over at least a portion of themobile electronic communication device 10. In some embodiments, thefront cover 110 includes at least one second aperture 118 (or otherwiseprovides access) for allowing access to at least one other portion ofthe mobile electronic communication device 10, such as one or more of afront-facing camera, microphone, proximity sensor, etc.

In particular embodiments, the front cover 110 and the rear cover 130,when coupled together, along with the membrane 140 completely enclosesthe mobile electronic communication device 10. The membrane 140 may be asheet of thin plastic or other suitable material, for example, thatallows interaction with the mobile electronic communication device 10(e.g., the touchscreen display of the mobile electronic communicationdevice 10). The membrane 140 may be transparent (or at least partiallytransparent) to allow images displayed on the touchscreen display of themobile electronic communication device 10 to be visible through themembrane 140. The configuration (e.g., size, thickness, layout,composition etc.) of the membrane 140 may be based on a particularmanufacturer or model of the mobile electronic communication device 10.

In some embodiments, the membrane 140 is fixed by, for example (but notlimited to) adhesive, surface tension, friction, static cling, viscousfluid, one or more fasteners, a combination thereof, and/or the like, toone or more of the protective case 100 (e.g., the front cover 110, therear cover 120, etc.) or the mobile electronic communication device 10.

In other embodiments, the membrane 140 is not fixed to the protectivecase 100 or the mobile electronic communication device 10. That is, themembrane 140 is a separate component from the front cover 110 and therear cover 120. In such embodiments, the membrane 140 may be held inplace against the mobile electronic communication device 10 by coupling(e.g., clamping, fastening, etc.) the front cover 110 and the rear cover120 together.

In various embodiments, the membrane 140 is placed over the frontsurface of the mobile electronic communication device 10 received in thecavity 135 and rests on the front surface of the mobile electroniccommunication device 10 to allow user interaction with the user inputinterface of the mobile electronic communication device 10 through themembrane 140. In particular embodiments, a rear surface (the surfacingfacing downward in the orientation of FIG. 2) of the membrane 140 isarranged to contact the front surface of the mobile electroniccommunication device 10.

In various embodiments, the protective case 100 includes alignmentfeatures configured to assist with alignment of the membrane 140relative to the mobile electronic communication device 10 received inthe cavity 135. In particular embodiments, a portion of the protectivecase 100 (e.g., the liner 130) is keyed or otherwise shaped anddimensioned to receive a corresponding portion of the membrane 140. Forinstance, the liner 130 may include one or more recesses 132 on thesidewall 130 a for receiving corresponding tab portions 142 of themembrane 140. In the illustrated embodiments, a plurality (two in FIG.3B) of recesses 132 are provided in the sidewall 130 a to extendedoutward from the cavity 135. Other embodiments may include more than orfewer than two recesses 132 (and tab portions 142). The recesses 132 areshaped to receive the corresponding tab portions 142 to facilitatealignment of the membrane 140. Accordingly, when the membrane 140 isplaced on the front surface of the mobile electronic communicationdevice 10, the tab portions 142 rest on upper surfaces 132 a of therecesses 132. In particular embodiments, the tab portions 142 of themembrane 140 extend from a body portion 148 of the membrane 140. Thebody portion 148 may correspond in size and shape, for example, to themobile electronic communication device 10 or a portion thereof (e.g.,the touchscreen display or other user input interface of the mobileelectronic communication device 10). Accordingly, in particularembodiments, the tab portions 142 are the only portions of the membrane140 that extend over the sidewall 130 a, or are the only portions of themembrane 140 that extend beyond the perimeter of the mobile electroniccommunication device 10.

In some embodiments, the front cover 110 may include one or moreprotrusions 113 (e.g., pin members) that are insertable throughcorresponding openings 143 provided in the tab portions 142, and intocorresponding openings 133 provided in the recesses 132 (when the tabportions 142 are arranged in the recesses 132) to align and retain themembrane 140 over the mobile electronic communication device 10 when thefront cover 110 and the rear cover 120 are coupled together. Theprotrusions 113 are integrally molded or formed portions of the frontcover 110. In other embodiments, the protrusions are attached to thefront cover 110. Alternatively or in addition, one or more of theprotrusions may be provided on the rear cover 120 and the correspondingrecesses may be provided in the front cover 110 such that theprotrusion(s) of the rear cover 120 are insertable through theopening(s) 143 of the membrane 140 and into the recesses in the frontcover 110.

In various embodiments the front cover 110 and the rear cover 120 areconfigured to be coupled together (with the membrane 140 covering themobile electronic communication device 10) to form a waterproof seal(i.e., substantially prevent passage of liquid from one side of theprotective case 100 (e.g., outside of the protective case 100) to theother side of the protective case 100 (e.g., inside of the protectivecase 100)). In some embodiments, a compressible member 150 is providedbetween the membrane 140 and the front cover 110 to provide a sealbetween the membrane 140 and the front cover 110. In particularembodiments, the compressible member 150 is attached to a front surface140 a of the membrane 140. For instance, the compressible member 150 maybe attached by, for example (but not limited to), an adhesive material,one or more fasteners, a combination thereof, and/or the like to thefront surface 140 a of the membrane 140. In other embodiments, thecompressible member 150 is similarly attached to a rear surface 110 a ofthe front cover 110 (but not attached to the membrane 140). In yet otherembodiments, the compressible member 150 is arranged in contact with,but is not attached to the membrane 140 and the front cover 110 (e.g.,the compressible member 150 is a separate component from the membrane140 and the front cover 110). In such embodiments, for example, a topsurface of the compressible member 150 engages the rear surface 110 a ofthe front cover 110 to form a seal between the compressible member 150and the rear surface 110 a of the front cover 110 and/or a bottomsurface of the compressible member 150 engages the membrane 140 to forma seal between the compressible member 150 and the membrane 140.

The compressible member 150 may be a gasket (e.g., O-ring) or the likefor providing a seal between the membrane 140 and the front cover 110when the front cover 110 is coupled to the rear cover 120. In particularembodiments, the compressible member 150 is made of a foam material,such as (but not limited to) a microcellular urethane (e.g., PORON®),and/or the like.

The compressible member 150 is shaped and dimensioned to correspond to ashape and dimension of an outer perimeter of the membrane 140. Thecompressible member 150 extends around at least a portion (or the entireportion) of the perimeter of the membrane 140. The compressible member150 has a first aperture 152 in alignment with the first aperture 112 ofthe front cover 110 to allow access to the touchscreen interface of themobile electronic communication device 10 through the membrane 140. Insome embodiments, the compressible member 150 has at least one secondaperture 158 in alignment with the second aperture(s) 118 of the frontcover 110 to allow access to at least one portion (e.g., front-facingcamera, proximity sensor, etc.) of the mobile electronic communicationdevice 10. Accordingly, the compressible member 150 provides a separateseal around the second aperture 158 (i.e., separate from the seal aroundthe first aperture 152). In some embodiments, the compressible member150 may have an operator aperture 151 over an operator of the mobileelectronic communication device 10 (e.g., Home button 11). The operatoraperture 151 is aligned with a corresponding aperture 141 of themembrane 140. Accordingly, the compressible member 150 provides aseparate seal around the operator of the mobile electronic communicationdevice 10 (i.e., separate from the seal around the first aperture 152).

In some embodiments, the front cover 110 is configured to assist withalignment of the compressible member 150 (and/or the membrane 140). Inparticular embodiments, a portion of the protective case 100 (e.g., thefront cover 110) is keyed or otherwise shaped and dimensioned to receivethe compressible member 150. For instance, the rear surface 110 a of thefront cover 110 may include a recess 110 b or the like shaped anddimensioned to receive at least a portion of the compressible member 150when the front cover 110 is coupled to the rear cover 120. In suchembodiments, the compressible member 150 may seal against a surface 110c of the recess 110 b when the front cover 110 is coupled to the rearcover 120.

In some embodiments, the liner 130, such as the sidewall 130 a of theliner 130, includes a rib 131 arranged around at least a portion of aninner perimeter of the liner 130. In particular embodiments, the rib 131is arranged around the entire inner perimeter of the liner 130. The rib131 extends upward from a top surface of the sidewall 130 a to engagethe front cover 110 when the front cover 110 is coupled to rear cover120. In such embodiments, the rib 131 seals against the rear surface 110a of the front cover 110 when the front cover 110 is coupled to the rearcover 120.

In particular embodiments, the rib 131 contacts an outer peripheralsurface 110 d of the rear surface 110 a of the front cover 110 when thefront cover 110 is coupled to the rear cover 120. In such embodiments,the rib 131 may seal against the outer peripheral surface 110 d when thefront cover 110 is coupled to the rear cover 120. The rib 131 maycontact the outer peripheral surface 110 d at a location X across fromthe compressible member 150. That is, the location X at which the ribengages the outer peripheral surface 110 d is between the upper surfaceof the compressible member 150 and the lower surface of the compressiblemember 150 (or upper surface 140 a of the membrane 140). In furtherembodiments, the rib 131 is arranged to surround at least a portion ofone or more of the recesses 132. In some embodiments, a gap 132 isprovided between the outer peripheral surface 110 d at the sidewall 130a.

Thus, in various embodiments, a first seal (or inner seal) is providedat the surface 110 c of the front cover 110 with the compressible member150 and a second seal (or outer seal) is provided at the outerperipheral surface 110 d of the front cover 110 with the rib 131. Inparticular embodiments, the second seal is arranged further from a topsurface of the front cover 110 than the first seal. That is, the secondseal is provided in further inward along the rear cover 120 than thefirst seal.

The front cover 110 and the rear cover 120 may be coupled in anysuitable manner, such as (but not limited to) friction fitting, snapfitting, clasping mechanism, clamping/fastening member, and/or the like.For instance, the front cover 110 may include openings 117 and the rearcover 120 may include openings 137 that are in alignment with each otherwhen the front cover 110 and the rear cove 120 are brought together forcoupling. In various embodiments, one or more coupling member, such as(but not limited to) screws 117 a, bolts, and/or the like may beprovided in the openings 117, 137 to fasten the front cover 110 to therear cover 120. In particular embodiments, the openings 137 (and/or theopenings 117) may be threaded to threadingly engage the screws 117 a.The coupling member(s) may be provided at each corner of the protectivecase 100 or at any other suitable location(s). In particularembodiments, the coupling members exert a force on the front cover 110and/or the rear cover 120 to force the front cover 110 against thecompressible member 150 to provide the seal between the transparentmember 140 and the front cover 120. By increasing the force exerted bythe coupling member(s), the seal strength may be increased to furtherinhibit passage of fluid, dust, or the like, between the compressiblemember 150 and the front cover 110. According to various embodiments,when the front cover 110 and the rear cover 120 are coupled together, anenclosed volume is formed for holding the mobile electroniccommunication device 10.

The mobile electronic communication device 10 may include at least onecamera or other video/image/data capture device. In particularembodiments, the protective case 100 is configured to allow an image orthe like to be captured through the protective case 100. In particularembodiments, the rear cover 120 includes an opening 139 arranged toalign with a lens of a rear-facing camera of the mobile electroniccommunication device 10. In further embodiments, the opening 139 iscovered by a transparent portion (e.g., an optically clear lens)arranged to align with the camera lens, and/or the like. The transparentportion may be formed as an integral feature of the protective case 100or may be a separate part formed separately and assembled to theprotective case 100. In some embodiments, the protective case 100includes a movable door arranged over the lens to selectively open toallow the camera to capture an image of an object outside the protectivecase 100. In some embodiments, the front cover 110 may be configured toallow an image or the like to be captured through the protective case100 by a front-facing camera. For example, the front cover 110 mayinclude the second aperture 118 or otherwise provide access to thefront-facing camera of the mobile electronic communication device 10.

The mobile electronic communication device 10 may have one or moreindicator lights on one or more suitable portions of the mobileelectronic communication device 10 to indicate information, such as astatus light for power, communication, battery status, or otherfunctions (e.g., new voicemail, email, text message, or other message).The indicator lights may be in positions on the mobile electroniccommunication device 10 that are not readily viewable through themembrane 140 or other portion of the protective case 100. In particularembodiments, the protective case 100 may be configured to allow theindicator lights to be visible through at least a portion of theprotective case 100. For example, the front cover 110 and/or the rearcover 120 of the protective case 100 includes one or more transparentportions, light pipes, or the like that transmit light from the mobileelectronic communication device 10 to outside of the protective case100. The transparent portions may be constructed of a transparent (orsemi-transparent) material. The transparent portions may be formed as anintegral feature of the protective case 100 or may be separate partsthat are formed separately and assembled to the protective case 100.

The mobile electronic communication device 10 may include one or moreaudio devices, such as speakers, headphone jacks, microphones forreceiving audio signals, etc. In particular embodiments, the protectivecase 100 may be configured to transmit audio signals through theprotective case 100 to the audio devices. For example, the front cover110 and/or the rear cover 120 of the protective case 100 includes anopening 128 to one or more of the audio devices. In further embodiments,the opening 128 includes a door 128 a to selectively open to allowaccess to the opening 128 for the speaker and/or microphone jack. Inparticular embodiments, the door 128 a is configured to pivot, slide, oropen in any suitable manner that allows access to the opening 128. Inother embodiments, the protective case 10 includes a film, membrane, orother material adapted to allow sound to pass through the film to orfrom one or more of the audio devices, yet inhibit passage of fluid,dust, or the like to the audio devices. For example, the membrane 140includes an opening 144 over a speaker of the mobile electroniccommunication device 10. A film 146 is provided over the opening 144 toallow sound to pass through the opening 144 and the film 146. The film146 is attached (e.g., via an adhesive, fastener, etc.) to the rearsurface 140 a of the membrane 140. In such embodiments, the film 146 isarranged between the mobile electronic communication device 10 and themembrane 140. In other embodiments, the film 146 is attached to thefront surface 140 a of the membrane 140. In such embodiments, the film146 is arranged between the membrane 140 and the front cover 110. Inother embodiments, the film 146 is an integral part of the membrane 140.

The mobile electronic communication device 10 may have at least oneinterface for communicating with another device (e.g., a computer, aspeaker, a charging device, etc.) and/or for charging the mobileelectronic communication device 10. The interface may be a directelectrical connection, such as through a cable, for example (but notlimited to a USB cable and/or the like. Alternatively or in addition,the interface may be a wireless connection, for example (but not limitedto) Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and/or the like. In particular embodiments, theprotective case 100 may be configured to allow access to one or more ofthe interfaces, such as an interface that allows for a direct electricalconnection. For example, the protective case 100 may include aninterface opening 129 that aligns with the interface of the mobileelectronic communication device 10 when the mobile electroniccommunication device 10 is received in the cavity 135 of the protectivecase 100. In further embodiments, the interface opening 129 may includea door 129 a or the like for allowing selective access to the interfaceopening 129 to the interface of the mobile electronic communicationdevice 10. In particular embodiments, the door 129 a is configured topivot, slide, or open in any suitable manner that allows access to theopening 129.

The mobile electronic communication device 10 includes one or moreoperators (e.g., buttons, switches, etc.) as part of the user inputinterface for the mobile electronic communication device 10. Theoperator(s) may provide various functions, such as powering on/off themobile electronic communication device, changing a volume of the mobileelectronic communication device 10, toggling audio/vibration (e.g.,ringer of the mobile electronic communication device 10), or performingother functions on the mobile electronic communication device 10 (e.g.,a “Home” button). The button size, number of, layout, and function mayvary for each manufacturer and model of mobile electronic communicationdevice 10.

As such, in various embodiments, the protective case 100 may beconfigured to allow actuation of one or more operators of the mobileelectronic communication device 10 while the mobile electroniccommunication device 10 is in the protective case 100. For instance, theprotective case 100 may include one or more members or other featuresthat are arranged to interact with one or more of the mobile electroniccommunication device 10 operators. In some embodiments, a moveablemember may be provided on the protective case 100 at a position tointeract with the one or more operators of the mobile electroniccommunication device 10 (received in the cavity 135) to transmitmechanical motion from outside of the protective case 100 to the one ormore operators of the mobile electronic communication device 10. Inparticular embodiments, the moveable member may be a flexible or pliablemember or portion of the protective case 100. For example, a flexiblemember 111 may be arranged in the front cover 110 to transmit a forceapplied to the flexible member 111 to a Home button 11 of the mobileelectronic communication device 10. In some embodiments, the moveablemember may be a moveable body, such as a plunger or the like, configuredto transmit mechanical movement from outside of the protective case 100to one or more of the operators of the mobile electronic communicationdevice 10. For example, a plunger 127 may be provided in the rear cover120 to transmit a force applied to the plunger 127 to the power buttonof the mobile electronic communication device 10. As another example, afirst button plunger 123 a (corresponding to volume up button 13) and asecond button plunger 123 b (corresponding to volume down button 14) maybe provided in the rear cover 120 to transmit a force applied to thevolume up button 13 or volume down button 14. Thus in variousembodiments, movement of a feature of the protective case 100 may movein a same (or parallel) direction as a direction in which acorresponding operator of the mobile electronic communication device 10is moved. In some embodiments, the protective case 100 is configured toprovide access to one or more of the mobile electronic communicationdevice 10 operators. For example, the protective case 100 may include anopening to allow a user to access (e.g., actuate) one or more of themobile electronic communication device 10 operators. It should be notedthat the mobile electronic communication device 10 may include anysuitable type or number of operators and/or the protective case 100 mayinclude any suitable type or number of members arranged to interact withsuch operators. For example, the protective case 100 may include apivoting or rocking member for actuating (at least) two of the operators(e.g., volume up button 13 and volume down button 14) of the mobileelectronic communication device 10.

With reference to FIGS. 1-8B, in some embodiments, the protective case100 includes at least one rotatable member 125 configured to transmitmechanical (rotational) movement to a corresponding operator of themobile electronic communication device 10, such as (but not limited to)the audio/vibration (AV) switch 12. Such a switch 12 is configured forlinear movement relative to a linear dimension (e.g., height dimension)of the mobile electronic communication device 10. For instance, the AVswitch 12 is configured for movement in a first direction (e.g., towarda front surface of the mobile electronic communication device 10) to afirst position P1, which provides a first state (e.g., “ON”), and asecond direction (e.g., toward a rear surface of the mobile electroniccommunication device 10) opposite the first direction to a secondposition P2, which provides a second state (e.g., “OFF”).

In various embodiments, the rotatable member 125 is configured to rotateto actuate the AV switch 12 (at least) between the first position P1 andthe second position P2. The rotatable member 125 may be provided in anopening 134 through the peripheral wall 120 a of the rear cover 120 toallow the rotatable member 125 to engage the AV switch 12 of the mobileelectronic communication device 10 when the mobile electroniccommunication device 10 is received in the cavity 135. Thus, therotatable member 125 is rotatable relative to the rear cover 120 (orother suitable portion of the protective case 100) about a first axis Athat is transverse to the dimension along which the AV switch 12 moves.

In some embodiments, the rotatable member 125 includes a firstengagement surface 224 a and a second engagement surface 224 b thatselectively engage the AV switch 12 as the rotatable member 125 isrotated. After engagement between the AV switch 12 and the firstengagement surface 224 a or the second engagement surface 224 b, furtherrotation of the rotatable member 125 causes the engaged surface 224 a,224 b of the rotatable member 125 to push or otherwise move the AVswitch 12 in a corresponding direction.

Accordingly, in particular embodiments, the rotatable member 125 isconfigured such that the first engagement surface 224 a causes the AVswitch 12 to move in the second direction from the first state (e.g.,“ON”) to the second state (e.g., “OFF”) when the rotatable member 125 isrotated in a first direction R1 (e.g., clockwise). In addition, therotatable member 125 is configured such that the second engagementsurface 224 b causes the AV switch 12 to move in the first directionfrom the second state to the first state when the rotatable member 125is rotated in a second direction R2 (e.g., counterclockwise).

In some embodiments, the rotatable member 125 is configured to berotatable in the second direction R2 (at least) until the rotatablemember 125 reaches a first rotation position A1. The first rotationposition A1 may correspond to the first position P1 of the AV switch 12at which the AV switch 12 is in the first state (e.g., “ON”). Moreover,the rotatable member 125 is configured to be rotatable in the firstdirection R1 (at least) until the rotatable member 125 reaches a secondrotation position A2. The second rotation position A2 may correspond tothe second position P2 of the AV switch 12 at which the AV switch 12 isin the second state (e.g., “OFF”).

In further embodiments, the rotatable member 125 includes an indicator125 a for indicating a position of the rotatable member 125, forexample, relative to the first rotation position A1 and the secondrotation position A2. One or more markers or indicators 126 may beprovided on the rear cover 120 to indicate the location of the firstrotation position A1 and/or the second rotation position A2. Because therotation positions A1, A2 correspond to a state of the AV switch 12, auser can readily determine the state of the AV switch 12 based on therotation position of the rotatable member 125. For example, when theindicator 125 a is aligned with the marker 126, the user can determinethat the AV switch 12 is “OFF.”

In further embodiments, the rotatable member 125 includes a stop member226 for preventing continued rotation of the rotatable member 125 in thefirst direction R1 and/or the second direction R2. For example, the stopmember 226 engages a first stop surface 134 a in the rear cover 120 asthe rotatable member 125 is rotated in the second direction R2. Uponengaging, the first stop surface 134 a inhibits continued rotation ofthe rotatable member 125 in the same direction. In addition, the stopmember 226 engages a second stop surface 134 b in the rear cover 120 asthe rotatable member 125 is rotated in the first direction R1. Uponengaging, the second stop surface 134 b inhibits continued rotation ofthe rotatable member 125 in the same direction.

In some embodiments, the rotatable member 125 includes a first portion125 a and a second portion 125 b coupled to the first portion 125 a. Thefirst portion 125 a may include a head portion 211 and a neck portion212 having a recess 213 for receiving a portion of the second portion125 b. The second portion 125 b may include a body 221 and a tab 222received in the recess 213 of the neck portion 212 to couple the firstportion 125 a and the second portion 125 b. The first portion 125 a maybe coupled to the second portion 125 in any suitable manner including(but not limited to), friction fitting, snap fitting, adhesive,fasteners, combination thereof, and/or the like. Accordingly, rotationof the first portion 125 a causes rotation of the second portion 125 b.In other embodiments, the rotatable member 125 may be a unitary body orcontain more than two portions.

Although various embodiments relate to a rotatable member for actuatingthe AV switch 12, in other embodiments, any one or more of the otherfeatures of the protective case 100 may be a rotatable member foractuating the corresponding operator of the mobile electroniccommunication device 10.

It is to be understood that although particular embodiments of theprotective case 100 are for encasing a mobile electronic communicationdevice 10, the object to be housed in the protective case 100 may be anyof a number of different objects. In addition, it should be noted thatthe protective case 100 may have a number of different suitable shapes,sizes, and configurations. For instance, in some embodiments, theprotective case 100 may include two separate members (e.g., separateindividual front and rear covers 110, 120) that are configured for beingremovably coupled together to surround the mobile electroniccommunication device 10 and thereby enclose the mobile electroniccommunication device 10. In other embodiments, the top and bottom covers110, 120 may not be separate members, but rather may be members that arejoined, for instance, by a common hinge element, or a single memberconfigured for being folded upon itself and thereby forming the housing.

In other embodiments, the mobile electronic communication device 10 isreceived in the front cover 110 instead of the rear cover 120. Inparticular embodiments, the membrane 140 is attached directly to thefront cover 110. The mobile electronic communication device 10, forexample, may be received into a cavity defined by the front cover 110and the membrane 140 to position the front surface of the mobileelectronic communication device 10 with the bottom surface of themembrane 140. In some embodiments, the membrane 140 forms a flush, frontsurface of the protective case 100. That is, the front surface of theprotective case 100 is the uppermost surface of the protective case 100.

The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects asillustrative, and not restrictive of the invention. The presentinvention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above.Various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of theinvention is indicated by the attached claims, rather than theembodiments. Various modifications and changes that come within themeaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be withinthe scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective case for a mobile electroniccommunication device, the protective case comprising: a front cover; arear cover configured to couple with the front cover; and a liner havinga peripheral wall, the liner being received by the rear cover, the linerdefining a cavity, the cavity configured to receive the mobileelectronic communication device, and wherein the liner has a pluralityof ribs along its peripheral wall.
 2. The protective case of claim 1,wherein the liner has a rear surface and wherein the peripheral wall ofthe liner extends from the rear surface toward the front cover when therear cover is coupled with the front cover.
 3. The protective case ofclaim 2, wherein the peripheral wall has side walls and end walls, eachside wall meeting at least one of the end walls at a corner, and whereinthe ribs are located at the corner of the peripheral wall.
 4. Theprotective case of claim 2, wherein each of the ribs extends in adirection perpendicular to the rear surface.
 5. The protective case ofclaim 2, wherein each of the ribs extends from the rear surface to a topsurface of the peripheral wall.
 6. The protective case of claim 1,wherein the ribs are configured to be adjacent the mobile electroniccommunication device when the mobile electronic communication device ispresent in the volume of the cavity.
 7. The protective case of claim 1,wherein the rear cover further comprises at least one opening at asidewall of the rear cover, the sidewall being adjacent and parallel tothe peripheral wall of the liner, and at least one door aligned with theat least one opening, the at least one door configured to selectivelyopen to allow access to the at least one opening.
 8. The protective caseof claim 7, wherein the at least one opening is arranged to allow accessto a headphone jack of the mobile electronic communication device. 9.The protective case of claim 1, wherein the liner comprises a plunger atthe peripheral wall, the plunger configured to transmit a force appliedto the plunger to a button of the mobile electronic communicationdevice.
 10. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the liner comprisesa plunger at the peripheral wall, the plunger configured to transmit aforce applied to the plunger to a power button of the mobile electroniccommunication device.
 11. The protective case of claim 1, wherein therear cover comprises a plurality of rib sets, each rib set comprising aplurality of ribs, and each rib set being at a discrete location alongthe peripheral wall and being separated from an adjacent rib set by aflat wall surface that is wider than each of the rib sets.
 12. Theprotective case of claim 1, wherein at least some of the ribs are evenlyspaced apart along the peripheral wall.
 13. The protective case of claim1, wherein the ribs are linear protrusions.
 14. The protective case ofclaim 13, wherein the peripheral wall has a height and a length longerthan the height, and wherein each of the linear protrusions extendsalong the height of the peripheral wall.
 15. The protective cover ofclaim 1, wherein the liner and the ribs are made of an elastomericmaterial.
 16. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein each of the ribsextends inward from the peripheral wall of the liner toward the cavity.17. A method of manufacturing a protective case for a mobile electroniccommunication device, the method comprising: providing a front cover;configuring a rear cover configured to couple with the front cover; andproviding a liner having a peripheral wall, the liner being received bythe rear cover, the liner defining a cavity, the cavity configured toreceive the mobile electronic communication device, and wherein theliner has a plurality of ribs along its peripheral wall.
 18. The methodof claim 17, wherein the liner has a rear surface and wherein theperipheral wall of the liner extends from the rear surface toward thefront cover when the rear cover is coupled with the front cover.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the peripheral wall has side walls and endwalls, each side wall meeting at least one of the end walls at a cornerof the peripheral wall, and wherein the ribs are located at the cornerof the peripheral wall.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein each of theribs extends in a direction perpendicular to the rear surface.